Grant Award Summary

The County of Pinellas received a $29.4 million Cooperative Agreement award dated June 22, 2026, from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program (CFDA 10.923) to design and install streambank stabilization measures along multiple creeks in Pinellas County, Florida. The project directly addresses watershed recovery needs resulting from Hurricane Milton and is scheduled for completion by June 1, 2028. The deliverables encompass emergency erosion prevention and runoff retardation infrastructure designed to relieve imminent hazards to life and property through stabilized streambanks and restored floodplain conditions.

The EWP Program provides financial and technical assistance for emergency recovery measures following natural disasters that create watershed impairments. As the project sponsor, Pinellas County is responsible for coordinating the design and installation of stabilization practices, obtaining necessary land rights and permits, and assuming long-term operation and maintenance responsibilities. The cooperative agreement structure ensures NRCS oversight and compliance with program requirements throughout project implementation, with performance records maintained for the duration of the project lifecycle.